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Dora Harvky Drvewn. 
{Mt<. John F.) 




Some Historical Spots 
LoA\^er Merion i OAvnsnip 

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



DORA HARVEY DEVELIN, A. M. 

(Mrs. John F.) 

Regent Merion Ckapter, Daughters of the American Revolution 

President Martha W^illiams Society, Children of the American Revolution 

State Delegate, Eastern Pennsylvania, League of American Pen Women 

Charter Memher Pocahontas Memorial Association 

Author of "Dolinda and the Twins," "Sandy Jem," "It All Depended," 
"■ The Story of a Book," Etc., Etc. 



lUuitrated from original photographs (-which are copyrighted) taken hy 
Mrs. Dora Harvey Develin. 



EASTLAND PUBLISHING CO., 
FERNWOOD, 

PA. 



TO MY MOTHER 

JULIA P. HARVEY 

(Mrs. James B. ) 
This little booklet is affectionately dedicated by 

THE AUTHOR 

Aulhor 
(Person) 




IvOWER Merion Friends' Meeting House. 

The oldest church edifice in Pennsylvania, built in 1695 (on the 

site of a still older log meeting-house built in 1683). 



Lower Merion Friends' Meeting 
House. 



Built i6gs—The Oldest Church Edifice in the 
State of Pennsylvania. 

Lower Merion Friends' Meeting House stands on the 
Old Lancaster Road (now called Montgomery Pike), 
just beyond Merionville, Montgomery County, Penn- 
sylvania. This is the oldest church edifice in the State, 
and was erected in 1695, on the site of a still older log 
meeting-house, built in 1683. This quaint, picturesque 
structure is in the form of a cross. Its walls are made 
of jointed stone, two feet thick, and its window-panes 
are of the small leaded type. The coating of plaster 
(which really disfigures it) was added in 1829, when, 
as a little tablet in the side of the wall tells us, it was 
"repaired." 

Inside, above the elders' seats, two pegs are pointed 
out as those upon which William Penn hung his hat 
when he preached to a Welsh congregation (many of 
whom could not understand him). One of these pegs 
was stolen by a relic-hunter during the Centennial, but 
another was made from a piece of the original floor 
to replace it. Since that time the relic-hunter became 
conscience-stricken and returned the original peg and it 
now may be seen in its former place. 

The name Merion, given to this township by the early 
Welsh colonists, is derived from that of Merionethshire, 
Wales. (We are told that Merionethshire, itself, was 



named after an ancient Welsh hero, Merion, sometimes 
spelled Aleriawn, who lived early in the Christian era.) 
The first settlers were a company of Welsh colonists, 
from Bala, Merionethshire, Wales, who landed on the 
banks of the Schuylkill River, near Pencoyd, August 14, 
1682, two months before William Penn landed. The 
first recorded burial at Merion is that of a little child, 
Catharine, daughter of Edward and Mabby Rees, Oc- 
tober 23, 1682, only two months after the landing of the 
ship "Lyon" at Pencoyd. 

It is known that, for some time after the landing, 
''meeting" was held at the house of Hugh Roberts, at 
Pencoyd. The ground where the log meeting-house first 
stood belonged to Edward Rees, the same who buried 
the little child. The land was sold to the congregation 
of Friends, in 1695, for $2.50. Descendants of Edward 
Rees assert that, previous to this year, ground was 
leased, or loaned, and that, if the meeting-house should 
ever be disturbed, they could lay claim to it. 

Just across a field stands the old Price (or Rees) 
homestead, used by Lord Cornwallis as his headquarters 
during the Revolution while he was in this part of the 
country. Edward Rees had children, some of whom 
were known as Ap Rees — then Prees. (The Welsh 
prefix Ap means son of, or child of.) In a few genera- 
tions the spelling had changed to Price. In the early 
records of Merion Meeting we see "Jane Prees, daughter 
of Edward and Mabby Rees." 

On the opposite side of the* road stands another Price 
mansion, a beautiful example of the old-time Pennsyl- 
vania architecture. 

The original 10,000 acres included in what is now 
Lower Merion was granted to John Ap Thomas, a noble 
Friend or Quaker, whose royal pedigree is recorded all 



the way back to Adam. The document (a copy of which 
may be seen in the Library of the Philadelphia Histori- 
cal Society) goes a long way to carry out the belief of 
Welsh historians that the Welsh are the oldest civilized 
people in the world, and are descended from the PhcE- 
nicians, Phrygians, and Trojans, through Brutus, the 
great-grandson of Aeneas, who landed in Britain 1136 
B. C 

John Ap Thomas died in the spring of 1682, before 
he had the opportunity of seeing his vast possessions in 
Merion, but his kinsman, Dr. Edward Jones, who settled 
at Wynnewood, brought the colonists over. Wynnewood 
was named after Dr. Thomas Wynne, who was father- 
in-law to Edward Jones, and who was physician, to Wil- 
liam Penn. (Dr. Thomas Wynne was the first Speaker 
of the first Pennsylvania Assembly.) 

William Penn and Dr. Wynne came over in the ship 
''Welcome," two months after the ship ''Lyon" landed. 
He, Dr. Wynne, settled in Blockley Township and built 
"Wynnstay," which still stands. In Scharf and West- 
cott's "History of Philadelphia" may be seen a copy of 
Holme's map, dated 168 1. Lower Merion appears as 
"Edward Jones and 17 families." "Merion Meeting" is 
shown on Scull and Heap's map, 1750. 

(The writer has in her possession the old "Brief of 
Title" showing the terms of the land grant to Dr. Ed- 
ward Jones, 1681 — from whom she is descended.) 

Merion Meeting is mentioned in the Pennsylvania Ar- 
chives, Second Series, Vol. XV, page 221, in the journal 
of Lieutenant James McMichael: 

"Sept. 14, 9 A. M., we marched from camp near Ger- 
mantown, N. N. W. for a few miles up the great road 
from Philadelphia to Reading, then turning W. S. W. we 
crossed the Schuvlkill in the centre, between Philadel- 



phia and Swedes' Ford, 8 miles from each. We reached 
the great road to Lancaster at Merion Meeting House, 
and proceeded up that road, then we camped in an open 
field, being denied every desirable refreshment." (This 
was in 1777, a few days before the massacre of Paoli. 
On this spot a granite memorial stone was erected by 
Merion Chapter, D. A. R., September 14, 1896.) 

On October 5 and 6, 1895, Merion Meeting held its 
Bi-Centennial Anniversary. Between two and three 
thousand people came from all parts of the country to 
be present at this most interesting celebration. A great 
tent was erected on the green sward, under the tall 
buttonwood trees, with seating capacity for about 1000 
persons, but this accommodated less than half who were 
present. They came early, they came by train, and bv 
wagon — they rode on horses, on wheels, and they walked, 
until as someone remarked, the fields adjoining the old 
"General Wayne Tavern" looked like a big day at a 
county fair. (The old horse-block, where the maidens 
of yore used to dismount, stands as it did more than 
two centuries ago.) 

The visitors were welcomed to the quaint old house 
of worship and many interesting relics, such as the orig- 
inal deed of ground, dated 1695, and an old marriage 
certificate bearing the date of 1783 were displayed. Be- 
hind the meeting-house, running across the back of the 
"General Wayne," is the grave-yard where many of the 
early settlers of Merion peacefully sleep. (Jesse George, 
who died in 1873, aged 88 years, is buried here. He left 
to the city of Philadelphia and Fairmount Park, 80 
acres of ground. The Centennial Exposition was held 
upon a portion of this land, and George's Hill, the mag- 
nificent hill which crowns the western end of Fairmount 
Park, bears his name.) 



At this celebration many well-known speakers took 
part, among them being Robert M. Janney ; Dr. James 
B. Walker, of Philadelphia ; Mary J. Walker, Chester Val- 
ley; Allan G. Thomas, and Dr. Frances Gummere, of 
Haverford College; Rufus M. Jones, and others. The 
paper by Mr. Isaac H. Clothier, on "The Influence of 
the Society of Friends To-day," was especially inter- 
esting. 

Miss Margaret B. Harvey, Historian of Merion Chap- 
ter, Daughters of the American Revolution, wrote an 
"Ode to Merion Meeting-House," upon its Bi-Centen- 
nial. It was published in the Bryn Mawr Nezus, Septem- 
ber 27, 1895. 

Meeting is still held here on First day morning each 
week. Many of the most distinguished, influential and 
wealthy families of Pennsylvania are proud to claim 
descent from the grand old forefathers who founded 
Merion Meeting. 

A short distance below stands an old stone house, 
built the same year (1695). It adjoins the "General 
Wayne," and has always been the property of the meet- 
ing. On one occasion Washington slept in the second 
story front room. 




The OIvD Generai. Wayne Tavern 

Opened 1704), where Merioii Chapter held its inauguration, 

April 17, 1895. Washington and I^afayette both slept 

in this old inn on several occasions. 



The General Wayne Tavern. 

The General Wayne Tavern stands on the old Lan- 
caster Road (now called Montgomery Pike) adjoining 
Merion Meeting-House. This old inn was opened in 
1704. From that time on until fifteen or twenty years 
ago the "General Wayne" was used as the post-office. 

The building is well preserved; it is a two-story and 
a half house with a porch on the ground floor and a 
veranda running across the front of the second story. 

On the smooth red gravel roadway in front stands a 
tall pole (which had once been a giant of the forest) 
from which swings the time-worn sign board. This 
sign has been repainted a number of times, but it is the 
identical one that first announced the opening of "Ye 
Old General Wayne." Across the top are the words 
"Established in 1704." In the centre, astride what is 
supposed to be a fiery charger, we see a representation 
of the gallant Anthony Wayne (whose ancestral home 
was some ten miles distant). Beneath we are told that 
there can be found "Accommodations for man and 
beast." At the base of the sign pole is a smooth, green 
mound, ornamented ( ?) with whitewashed stones. 

The room that answers as "Ye Setting Roome" looks 
about as it did over a hundred years ago. Across the 
ceiling run heavy rafters, dark with the stains of time, 
while the wide-open fire place with its "ingle-nooks," 
the high mantel, the quaint cupboards, the broad settees, 
all speak of the past. In the wall which divides "Ye 
Setting Roome" from the bar-room is a broad, dark, 
heavy door. This is divided into two parts (like a 

13 



"Dutch door"), the upper portion being a Httle door of 
itself. A knock on this is quickly answered from the 
other side ; the little door swings open and a beaming 
face appears. Methinks I can see some quiet, dignified 
Quaker in his garb of gray; some sturdy farmer, with 
his homespun "jumper," or a swaggering red-coat, tap- 
ping on this little door, and in reply to the ruddy face 
which appears, ordering something to sustain him after 
a long and dusty ride. 

From a little entryway a steep pair of stairs leads to 
the second story. The steps, though of hardwood, are 
hollowed, as though scooped out, from the tread of many 
feet. 

Washington and Lafayette both slept in this quaint - 
old inn on more than one occasion. When, on the way to 
Paoli, Washington's army encamped within a few hun- 
dred feet of "The General Wayne," Washington slept 
there that night, September 14, 1777. 

The inn was kept by the same family until within the 
last dozen years or so, and the Misses Young used to 
conduct the visitor to the room where Washington and 
Lafayette slept, with its high "four-poster," little chintz 
curtains and massive chest of drawers. 

Almost opposite "The General Wayne" stands an old 
time-worn blacksmith's shop. It was here that Lord 
Cornwallis had his horses shod during the Revolution. 
The shingle roof and the woodwork have been renewed, 
for the shop was once burned out, but the stone walls, 
with the old stone mile post outside the door, stand as 
they did more than two centuries ago. 

This tavern has always been kept up to the standard 
of the old wayside inn, and is in no way to be confounded 
with the modern saloon. It is considered quite as 
proper for ladies^ while driving, or riding in their auto- 

14 



mobiles, to stop on the broad porch and rest while drink- 
ing a cup of coffee, chocolate or cooling lemonade, as it 
was in "ye olden time" when the stage coach ran down 
to Philadelphia in the morning and back in the evening. 
The coach always stopped at "The General Wayne," 
and invariably took up or set down passengers. 

Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- 
tion, held its inauguration here on April 17, 1895. The 
members of the chapter appeared in Martha Washington 
costumes. A fine display of historical implements and 
Colonial relics was a feature of the programme. "Revolu- 
tionary Tea" was served in "Ye Setting Roome." The 
old hostelry was profusely decorated with flags and 
bunting, while a massive oil painting of Washington 
draped in red, white and blue bunting, with a wreath of 
laurel suspended above it, was hung over the main en- 
trance. 



15 



IN THIS AND ADJACENT 

ftOUND WASHINCTON'S ARMY 

EHCAMPED SEPTEMBER 14.1777. 

. WCTW BY MEmoH CHAPTER 



--"TioH SEPTEMBER ,;;;2;. 




^^m 



Me;moriai, Stone. 

Erected by Merion Chapter, D. A. R., September 14, 1896, to mark 

the spot where Washington's Army encamped September 

14, 1777, five days before the massacre of Paoli. 



Memorial Stone, 



Erected by Merion Chapter^ D. A, R, 

On September 14, 1777, Washington's army encamped 
on a field just above Merion Meeting-House, on the old 
Lancaster Road. (This was five days before the bloody 
massacre of Paoli.) 

Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- 
tion, unveiled and dedicated a memorial stone to mark 
this spot, on September 14, 1896 (the one hundred and 
nineteenth anniversary of the day), in the presence of 
five or six hundred people. 

The ceremonies began at 2.30, with patriotic airs by 
the Wyoming Band of Philadelphia, stationed on a plat- 
form draped in American flags. The Regent of Merion 
Chapter presided and made some introductory remarks, 
which were followed by a prayer by the Rev. Charles S. 
Olmstead, then rector of St. Asaph's P. E. Church, Bala, 
and now Bishop of Colorado. 

Hon. Jacob Weidel, who was Mayor of Reading at 
that time, delivered a short address. Miss Margaret B. 
Harvey, Historian of the Chapter, read a historical paper 
in which she specially referred to the day spent by Wash- 
ington's army in Lower Merion. 

Then the Regent unveiled the stone, while Battery A 
of Philadelphia, under command of Capt. M. C. Staf- 
ford, with 30 men, fired a national salute of 45 guns, and 
the band played ''The Star Spangled Banner." Fol- 
lowing the unveiling Major Moses Veale delivered the 
oration. 

19 



The stone is a rough granite pillar, 4 feet high, 2 feet 
wide, and 2 feet thick. The face towards Montgomery 
Pike is polished and on it is cut the following inscription : 

On this and adjacent 

ground Washington's army 

encamped September 14, I777- 

Erected by Merion Chapter, 

Daughters of the American 

Revolution, September 14, 1896. 

Ground presented by 
Samuel R. McDowell. 



iJO 




" IvIIvAC GROVe.." 

The Harvey Homestead. Built 1700. 



''Lilac Grove." 

A stone mansion, one of the best examples of Colonial 
architecture in Pennsylvania, for three generations the 
residence of the Harvey family, formerly stood on the 
Old Lancaster Road, Lower Merion, immediately ad- 
joining the two Latch homesteads, just above the "Black 
Horse" and about a quarter of a mile above City Avenue. 

The old house was in the midst of a beautiful profu- 
sion of lilacs, which gave the place its name of "Lilac 
Grove." Majestic trees, some of them still standing, 
cast a bewildering shade on every hand. (They no 
longer screen the dear old stone house, but protect a 
modern Queen Anne mansion from the sun's rays.) 
The western end of the house was built in 1700, on the 
site of a still older log house ; the eastern end was added 
in 1762. 

During the Revolutionary period it was occupied by a 
Revolutionary patriot, Richard Jones, a prominent Friend, 
or Quaker, and a member of Merion Meeting. (He is 
buried there.) He was a wealthy lumber merchant, and 
one of the ways in which he served his country was by 
presenting the Naval Board with lumber to build a boat 
for the armed fleet on the Delaware. As he left but one 
son, James, who died unmarried, the property came into 
the possession of his cousin, Margaret Boyle Harvey, 
descended from the same Jones family as James and 
Richard. Margaret Boyle, daughter of a Revolutionary 
soldier. Captain James Boyle, of the Chester County 
Militia, was married to Edward Harvey at Merion Meet- 
ing, Sixth month, i6th, 1808. (They are both buried 

23 



there.) Edward Harvey was Squire of Lower Merion 
for 28 years, holding that office at the time of his death. 

Margaret Boyle Harvey's mother was Martha Wil- 
liams, of Charlestown, Chester County, a heroine of the 
Revolution. She, with other young girls of that day, put 
in the crops while the men of their families were away 
fighting for their country. She also carried food and 
clothing to the patriot soldiers at Valley Forge. Her 
grandfather, John Williams, was a soldier in Washing- 
ton's army. (Martha Williams married her teacher, 
known as "Schoolmaster Boyle." He taught in Charles- 
town before the Revolutionary period, and at the Old 
Eagle School, Tredyffrin Township, 1812-14. He also 
taught at Glassley, near where the Devon Inn now 
stands.) 

The Harvey barn stood until recent years on the op- 
posite side of the road, next to "Rose Hill," one of the 
Latch homesteads. It is said that at one time, during 
the Revolution, two soldiers, being pursued by a British 
foraging party, took refuge in this barn and hid beneath 
the hay. The British suspected their place of retreat, 
and slashed through the hay with their swords until they 
had found the Americans, and then mercilessly hacked 
them to death. These were among the unnamed and 
unnumbered patriots of whom we can find no record, but 
who just as truly gave their lives that our nation might 
live, as any hero whose deeds are recorded on tablets of 
marble or brass. 



24 





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The IvATch Homestkad. 



The Latch Homesteads. 

A short distance above City Avenue, and adjoining 
what was formerly the Harvey property, stand two 
houses which were built before the days of the Revolu- 
tion. They are the Latch homesteads. 

Jacob Latch was a soldier in Washington's army and 
encamped, when the patriots were in Merion, at Valley 
Forge. He obtained a furlough, came home and spent 
his holiday in making shoes for his destitute comrades. 
But tradition tells us he did more than that — he really 
carried secret dispatches for Washington. He was 
known as "Washington's Runner." 

The old Latch house on the left-hand side of the road 
(going towards Merionville) looks just as it did two 
centuries ago. It is the home of Mr. Edward Latch, 
U. S. N., a direct descendant of the patriot soldier, 
Jacob Latch. 



27 




i 



"BivACK Horse Tavern," 

Old Lancaster Road and "County Line," Lower Merion, 

Montgomery County, Pa. Built before the Revolution. 

(Stands opposite to famous " Black Horse Barn.") 



The Old Black Horse Tavern 
and Barn. 

The old Black Horse Tavern and Barn stand on the 
Old Lancaster Road, at the corner of "Count}^ Line," or, 
more properly speaking, City Avenue. They are just 
v^ithin the borders of Lower Merion Township, Mont- 
gomery County, and on a portion of the historic acres 
settled by the early Welsh colonists who came from 
Wales in 1682. 

This antiquated hostelry, with its picturesque roof and 
chimneys, its broad piazzas, its iron-bound shutters and 
huge brass knocker, is well-nigh as ancient as the "Gen- 
eral Wayne." This estate has been in the family of Jacob 
Stadelman since long before the Revolution. The old 
building, however, is no longer used as a hotel. 

The "Black Horse" was the scene of a battle, or skir- 
mish, during the exciting times of 1777. With the start- 
ling events of the Brandywine, Germantown and Paoli 
following each other in quick succession, many minor 
happenings have been lost sight of. Among these were 
the operations of General Potter on the west side of the 
Schuylkill. Blockley and Merion townships suffered 
greatly from the ravages of British forage parties, and 
General Potter was kept busy in protecting the inhabi- 
tants and annoying the enemy. 

A letter written by General Potter is recorded in Vol. 
VI of the Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, page 97. 
It reads as follows (I give it verbatim, odd spelling, 
and all) : 

31 



Sir: — Last Thursday, the enemy march out of the 
city with a desire to Furridge; but it was necessary to 
drive me out of the way; my advanced picquet fired on 
them at the Bridge; another party of one Hundred at- 
tacked them at the Black Hors. I was encamped at 
Charles Thomson's place, where I stacconed two Reg- 
ments who attacted the enemy with Viger. On the next 
hill I stacconed three Regments, letting the first line 
know that when they were over powered the must re- 
treat and form behind the second line, and in that manner 
we formed and Retreated for four miles ; and on every 
Hill we disputed the matter with them. My people Be- 
haved well, espeasly three Regments Commanded by 
the Cols Chambers, Murrey and Leacey. His Excellency 
Returned us thanks in public orders: — But the cumple- 
ment would have Been mutch more substantale had the 
Valant General Solovan Covered my Retreat with two 
Devisions of the Army, he had in my Reare: the front 
of them was about one half mile in my Rear, but he gave 
orders for them to Retreat and join the army who were 
on the other side of the Schuylkill about one mile and a 
Half off from me ; thus the enemy Got leave to Plunder 
the Countrey, which the have dun without parsiality or 
favour to any, leave none of Nesscereys of life Behind 
them that the conveniantly could carrey or destroy. My 
loss in this Action I am not able to Assartain as yet; it 
is not so mutch as might be expected. The killed don't 
exceed 5 or 6; taken prisoners about 20; wounded about 
20; with the enemy acknowledged the got the worst of 
this Action; there light hors suffered mutch for they 
Charged us. I am your Excellancy's 

most obedant 
Humble Servant, 
. _ , Ja Potter. 

32 



p. S. His Excellancy was not with the Army when 
this unkicky neglect hapned ; the army was on there 
march and he had not come from his Quarters at Whit 
marsh. 

Chester County Camp at Head Quarters, Dec. 15, 1777. 
Directed — On PubHc service, 
His Excellency Thomas Wharton Esq. 
at Lancaster. 

Thomas Wharton, Jr., was then President of the Su- 
preme Executive Council, that is, President of the Com- 
monwealth of Pennsylvania, under the Constitution of 
1776. General Potter, himself, became Vice-President 
in 1781. ~^ 

During the skirmish the dead and wounded soldiers 
were carried into the Black Horse Barn, and laid upon 
beds made from hay. 

From General Potter's letter we learn that the action, 
begun at the Black Horse, was continued throughout the 
greater part of Lower Merion as far as Conshohocken. 

"Charles Thomson's place" was at Harriton, near 
Bryn Mawr. In fact, Charles Thomson's mansion was 
the original "Bryn Mawr" built by the Welsh scholar 
and preacher, Rowland Ellis, in 1704. 

At the time of this skirmish, or just before it, Wash- 
ington had caused a temporary bridge to be built over 
the Schuylkill in order to facilitate the passage of his 
army (as there were no bridges then over the river, but 
people crossed by means of ferries, the principal ones 
being the "Middle Ferry," at the site of the present 
Market Street bridge; the "Upper Ferry," where the 
Spring Garden Street bridge now stands, and the "Lower 
Ferry" was "Gray's Ferry"). The exact date of the 
erection of this temporary bridge is not known, but the 

33 



fact of its being there is proven by the obituary of Col. 
Edward Heston, which appeared in the Saturday Even- 
ing Post, February 21, 1824. General Potter's allusion 
to the ''Bridge" also proves that there must have been 
one at that time. 

Some members of Merion Chapter, Daughters of the 
American Revolution, have in their possession a number 
of bullets and grape-shot which were plowed up in the 
fields surrounding the "Black Horse" Barn. The build- 
ing is of stone, in the old Colonial style, and the end 
facing the road is almost covered with ivy. On the 
other side, which is not shown in the picture, are two 
massive double doors, with huge iron hinges and a heavy 
iron latch. These open into the barn where the thresh- 
ing goes on in season, just as it did in the days of long 
ago, except that a fine improved threshing machine takes 
the place of the flails that were formerly swung by the 
sturdy country lads. Behind the barn rises a beautiful 
field of pasture, and from the top of the hill a fine view 
of Philadelphia may be had. During the season of the 
year when the trees and bushes are bare of foliage, a 
silvery thread, winding in and out in the distance, shows 
where the Schuylkill River lies — the river over which 
the enemy crossed on the way to Merion. 

On Scull and Heap's map of 1750 appear the names 
of ''Stradelman" (at the Black Horse) and ''Wenn" (at 
''Wynnstay"). 



34 




The "BIvACK Horse" Barn, 

On the old lyancaster Road, corner " County Line," where the 

Pennsylvania Militia under General Potter defeated a 

detachment of Cornwallis' army (during the 

Revolution ) . The dead and wound ed 

were carried into this barn. 



''Harriton/' 

''The Welsh Tract" not only included the io,ooo acres 
granted to John Ap Thomas and Edward Jones. On 
Holme's map of 1681 the part of Lower Merion near the 
Schuylkill and City Avenue is marked "Edward Jones 
and 17 families." Further westward are two tracts 
marked "Rowland Ellis and Thomas Ellis," both being 
in the neighborhood of the present Bryn Mawr. 

Rowland Ellis was a great scholar and a preacher in 
the Society of Friends. He is said to have been a de- 
scendant of King Henry ni of England. He settled on 
his plantation about 1686. In 1704 he built a substantial 
stone mansion, still standing. (This afterwards became 
the property of Charles Thomson.) This, with his sur- 
rounding acres, he called "Bryn Mawr," or "Great Hill," 
after his early home in Wales. 

The property passed into the hands of Richard Har- 
rison, a wealthy slave holder, who named the place "Har- 
riton." Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental 
Congress, married for his second wife Hannah Harri- 
son, and became master of "Harriton." At his death 
the property returned to his wife's kindred, the Morris 
family, who still hold it. 

In the woods near the Baptist Cemetery is the Harri- 
ton family burying ground, enclosed by a stone wall. 
A tablet in the wall records the fact that here were once 
interred the remains of Charles Thomson, Secretary of 
the Continental Congress. 

When Laurel Hill Cemetery was opened, Charles 
Thomson's nephew, and other professed admirers, re- 



moved the patriot's remains surreptitiously and re-in- 
terred them in the new burial ground. To remove Sec- 
retary Thomson's body was trespass, as to reach the 
family burying ground it was necessary to cross private 
property ; but as the Morris family were Friends, they 
felt bound to follow the doctrine of non-resistance. 
Hence they never demanded the return of the body. But 
Mr. George \^aux, of Philadelphia, whose summer home 
is at "Harriion," is doubtful whether the trespassers suc- 
ceeded in finding the right body. 

About thirty years ago Mr. Vaux and his wife erected 
the historical tablet now in the wall, as well as the one 
with name and date on the outside, which tablets are 
inscribed on two sides of a single block of stone. Mr. 
Vaux also prepared the inscription from reliable family 
papers. The interior tablet took the place of an earlier 
one \yhich contained a shorter and more imperfect in- 
scription. 







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The Original " Wynnstay." 

Built in 1690 by Dr. Thomas Wynne, friend and physician to 

William Penn. 



"Wynnstay. 



"Wynnstay" was the original name given to the 
Wynne place and it is so marked on the early maps. 
This tract of land on the Old Lancaster Road, east of 
City Avenue, was part of the looo acres purchased by 
Dr. Thomas Wynne and John Ap John, in 1681. It was 
named after "Wynnstay" in Wales, and was comprised 
in Old Blockley Township. 

Dr. Thomas Wynne was a notable character in those 
days. He was the first Speaker of the first House of 
Representatives in Pennsylvania; a Judge in the Pro- 
vincial Courts ; Magistrate of Sussex County, Delaware 
(where he moved). Was friend and physician to Wil- 
liam Penn; a scholar and a Quaker preacher. A great 
number of famous characters, Revolutionary and other- 
wise, were descended from Dr. Wynne, among them 
being John Dickinson, author of the "Farmers' Letters," 
and Generals John and Lambert Cadwallader. 

The old mansion still stands. During the Revolution- 
ary period it was occupied by the family of Lieutenant 
Thomas Wynn, of the "Pennsylvania Flying Camp," 
a great-grandson of the first Thomas Wynne. 

While Blockley and Merion Townships were being 
ravaged by the British and while Lieutenant Wynn was 
away from home in the service of his country, a number 
of British soldiers attacked the old Wynn mansion. 
Mrs. Wynn, so the story goes, assisted only by her chil- 
dren and servants, bravely defended her home. But 
the English finally broke into the house and searched 
high and low for valuables. But the only things they 

41 



found which they wanted were some freshly baked 
loaves of bread and a barrel of liquor. This last van- 
quished them. They fell helpless imdcr the influence of 
the liquor and were captured by a party of American 
soldiers who passed that way. (Mrs. Elizabeth Wynn, 
wife of Lieutenant Wynn, is buried at Merion Meeting.) 



42 




IvOW£;r Mkrion Academy. 



Lower Merion Academy. 

Lower Merion Academy was built in 1812. While 
this is not of the Revolutionary period it is one of the 
noted old landmarks of Lower Merion. It has a broad 
piazza with a brick floor and flag-stone steps leading to 
it. The posts are supported at the base by iron pivots. 
The desks are clumsy and heavy, while the windows 
have tiny square panes. All these show the age of the 
building, but the hollows in the steps, worn by the tramp 
of many feet, speak most eloquently of its antiquity. 

The Academy was one of the first public schools in 
the United States. It was founded in 1810 by Jacob 
Jones, who left a farm of 10 acres for the support of a 
school at which a certain number of pupils should be 
educated free of charge. The Academy was a genuine 
Academy with a classical course. It was a boarding 
school with day scholars. The teacher was allowed the 
use of the dwelling and grounds in return for his tuition 
of the free scholars. From the beginning there was no 
distinction as to sex. 

But the question of caste soon made trouble. The 
"free scholars" were looked down upon, so much so that 
it was at one time seriously proposed to erect a separate 
building for the "poor scholars." But the friends of the 
institution decided that this would defeat the intention 
of the founder's will, the first purpose of which was to 
provide free education. (The difliculty was adjusted by 
doing away with the paid scholars.) 

The first teacher was Joshua Hoopes, a Friend, who 
resigned rather than contend with the strife between 

45 



"paid" and "free" scholars. He afterwards went to 
West Chester, where he successfully conducted a Friends' 
school for many years. He was a noted botanist, and a 
friend of Darlington's. 

John Levering came next. He it was who made a 
most admirable map of Lower Merion. As a local anti- 
quarian he was quite remarkable. Another early teacher 
was Miss Lydia Coggins. 

But no one can speak, or think, of the Lower Merion 
Academy without calling to mind Mr. Israel Irwin, who 
was Head Master (or principal) for twenty-five years, 
and who still lives near the old schoolhouse (1906). 

Many scholars from the Academy afterwards became 
known to the world, among them being Charles Naylor, 
Representative in Congress from Philadelphia, 1840; 
Joseph Fornance, Representative in Congress from 
Montgomery County, in the early 40's (this is the 
Congressman who sent Winfield Scott Hancock to West 
Point) ; Prof. James Rhoads, of the Boys' Central High 
School, Philadelphia ; Rev. James Rush Anderson, D. D. ; 
Dr. Richard Jones Harvey, who graduated from the 
University of Pennsylvania in 1832, one of the Califor- 
nia pioneers of 1849; Algernon Roberts, of the Pencoyd 
Iron Works, and George B. Roberts, who was President 
of the Pennsylvania Railroad for many years before his 
death. 

The ground upon which the Academy stands rises 
above the picturesque ravine known as Rock Hollow. 
It was up this road that the Americans passed to reach 
the Old Lancaster Road to the place where they camped 
near Merion Meeting-House, September 14, 1777. 

Down Rock Hollow, on the banks of the winding 
stream known as Rock Creek, stands an old, ruined mill. 
This, during the Revolutionary period, was Lloyd Jones' 

46 




The Or.D Mir,i„ 

Rock Hollow, Ivower Merion, where the Continental money 

was destroyed. 



paper mill. After the Continental paper money had so 
depreciated in value as to become utterly worthless, it 
was called in by our young Government and destroyed 
at this mill. From this spot in Lower Merion, then, 
started the still popular phrase, "Not worth a conti- 
nental." 



49 



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Washington's HEADouARTiiRs, Vali^ey Forge. 



Valley Forge. 



The principal part of the camp ground at Valley 
Forge, including Washington's headquarters, is in Upper 
Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. 
(Only a small portion of it extends into Chester County.) 
As Washington's army, in 1777, marched through Lower 
Merion and camped there, on its way to Valley Forge. 
I feel that this little volume would be incomplete with- 
out a few words concerning this noted spot. 

The fine old stone house used by Washington as his 
headquarters is still in an excellent state of preservation. 
At the time of the Revolution it was the home of Isaac 
Potts, a patriotic Friend, or Quaker. He it was who 
came upon Washington while at prayer in the woods, 
as shown in the painting so familiar to us ah. 

The army went into camp at Valley Forge in De- 
cember, 1777, and spent a terrible winter of suffering 
from both cold and hunger. But the women and girls 
in that part of the country did what they could to help 
feed and clothe the soldiers. They knitted stockings, 
gloves and mufflers; they baked bread, carried flour and 
grain to them, and ministered to their necessities as well 
as lay in their power. The army evacuated Valley Forge 
in June, 1778. 

Every Pennsylvanian, and no doubt every American, 
is rejoiced that Valley Forge is saved to the nation. The 
fact that it has been preserved is largely due to the 
efforts of a woman — the late Anna M. Holstein, of 
Bridgeport, Pa. Mrs. Holstein had been since 1855 the 
'/Lady Regent" for Pennsylvania, in the association of 

53 



patriotic women formed for the purpose of preserving 
the home of Washington at Mt. Vernon. During the 
Civil War she went as an army nurse and rendered valu- 
able aid to our country in that capacity. 

As the year 1878 drew near, the one hundredth 
anniversary of the evacuation of Valley Forge, when 
the troops marched on to victory, Mrs. Holstein felt that 
its centennial ought to be fittingly observed. She and 
other kindred spirits, living mostly in the neighborhood, 
with several patriotic societies, formed the "Valley Forge 
Centennial and Memorial Association." Among the first 
members were Major William Holstein, Dr. and Mrs. 
George Holstein, all of Bridgeport; General B. F. Fisher 
and Col. I. Heston Todd, of Valley Forge ; John O. K. 
Robarts, editor of the Phocnixvillc Messenger; Col. N. 
Ellis, of Phoenixville ; Col. and Mrs. Theodore W. Bean, 
and Charles Ramey, of Norristown, and others. Mrs. 
Holstein was elected Regent of this association, an office 
which she held up to the time of her death, December 
31, 1900. 

The Valley Forge Centennial and Memorial Associa- 
tion purchased the headquarters with adjoining orchard 
and garden, and celebrated June 19, 1878, with impres- 
sive ceremonies. It was then that the late Henry Armitt 
Brown, that eloquent young orator, delivered his famous 
address. This grand celebration called the attention of 
the whole nation to Valley Forge. 

The Association had purchased the headquarters 
buoyed up by an abiding faith, but borne down by a 
heavy debt. The Patriotic Order Sons of America 
came to their aid and by June 19, 1887, the property was 
free from all incumbrance. Another celebration was 
held, the date being the 109th anniversary of the evacua- 
tion of Valley Forge. Among those instrumental in 

54 



bririging about this happy consummation were Henry J. 
Stager, editor of the Philadelphia Camp News (the 
organ of the Patriotic Order Sons of America), and' 
J. P. Hale Jenkins, Esq., of Norristown, Pa. 

In 1894 the Valley Forge Chapter, Daughters of the 
American Revolution, was organized, and Mrs. Hol- 
stein became its first Regent. This Chapter assisted in 
the care of Washington's headquarters and furnished 
in Colonial style the room in which Washington slept. 

Chester County Chapter, Daughters of the American 
Revolution, followed, and furnished another room in sim- 
ilar style. 

On the death of Mrs. Holstein Mrs. Rebecca Mclnnes, 
of Norristown, who had been Vice-Regent of the Valley 
Forge Centennial and Memorial Association, succeeded 
her as Regent. (Mrs. Mclnnes had also been Vice- 
Regent of the Valley Forge Chapter, D. A. R., with 
Mrs. Charles Hunsicker as Regent.) The present Regent 
of Valley Forge Chapter is Mrs. P. Y. Eisenberg. 

Within the last few years the State of Pennsylvania 
has acquired several hundred acres of the Valley Forge 
Camp Ground, with the intention of gradually acquiring 
the whole and preserving it forever as a public park. 
Washington's headquarters, so long in the possession of 
the Valley Forge Centennial and Memorial Association, 
became, in March^ 1906, the property of the State. The 
Association thus goes out of existence, but it will long 
be remembered for the noble record left behind it. One 
of its last acts was to join with other patriotic societies 
in celebrating the 125th anniversary of Washington's 
evacuation of Valley Forge, June 19, 1903. 

In the morrling there was held a Memorial Service, 
after which the corner-stone of the Washington Memo- 
rial Chapel was laid. (Col. I. Heston Todd gave the 

55 



ground for this church. The erection of this Memorial 
Chapel was the result of a sermon preached by Rev. W. 
Herbert Burk, Rector of All Saints' P. E. Church, 
Norristown). In the afternoon a grand patriotic cele- 
bration was given. Addresses were made by Hon. Wal- 
ter S. Logan, of the Empire State Society, S. A. R. (who 
has since been summoned ''Over Beyond") ; Mrs. Don- 
ald McLean, then Regent of the New York City Chapter, 
D. A. R., and now President-General of the National 
Society, D. A. R. ; Miss Adaline W. Sterling, of New 
Jersey, President D. R., and Hon. Charles Emory 
Smith, of Philadelphia. Two poems, written for this 
occasion, were read by Francis L. Lybarger — one was 
by Miss Margaret B. Harvey, Historian of Merion Chap- 
ter, D. A. R., and the other by Mrs. Mary E. Thropp 
Cone. A prayer was made by Rev. Henry A. F. Hoyt, 
D. D., Rector of St. John's P. E. Church, Lower Merion. 
The musical part of the programme was under the direc- 
tion of Mr. John O. K. Robarts, of Phoenixville. 

Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- 
tion, has also furnished a room in Washington's head- 
quarters — the upper room with the "round window" 
(facing the Valley Hills), shown in so many pictures. 
Every piece of furniture is authentic, with a Revolution- 
ary or Colonial history. 

Merion Chapter feels very grateful to the officers of 
the Memorial Association, and to the Valley Forge Com- 
missioners for the grand privilege accorded it in furnish- 
ing this room. 

The members of the Valley Forge Park Commission 
(from Smull's Hand Book, 1904) are as follows: 

President — John W. Woodside, Philadelphia. 

Vice-President, W. H. Sayen, Philadelphia. 

Secretary, A. H. Bowen, 112 S. Second Street, Phila. 

56 



Treasurer — Edward A. Price, Media. 

Henry S. Muhlenberg, Reading; Samuel S. Hartranft, 
Lebanon; J. P. Hale Jenkins, Norristown; Martin C. 
Brumbaugh, Philadelphia; John P. Nicholson, Philadel- 
phia; George H. Colket, Philadelphia. 



57 



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